Cheltenham Festival Day Four Preview: Odds, Tips & Results
The highlight on day four is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Gold Cup but there is further Grade 1 action to look forward to in the form of the JCB Triumph Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
The final day of a thrilling Cheltenham Festival is almost upon us with seven more mouth-watering races to look forward to on Friday. The highlight on day four is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Gold Cup but there is further Grade 1 action to look forward to in the form of the JCB Triumph Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Once more our daily odds and free bet offers come from our partners at NAGS Bet.
1:30
Willie Mullins has a solid record in the Triumph Hurdle, training three of the last four winners of the race and on Friday he’s responsible for more than half of the 13 confirmed runners. Race favourite, Majborough won at Auteuil last April but has only had one race since moving to the Mullins yard. However, the solitary run saw him finish just 1 ¾ lengths off the winner in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month.
Paul Townend rides Storm Heart who finished second in that Leopardstown Grade 1 having previously won a maiden hurdle by 22 lengths on New Year’s Eve. Of the leading pair, preference is for Storm Heart.
In a race dominated by the Irish, Salver could be a leading player for the home contingent. The Gary Moore-trained four-year-old is 4-4 over hurdles and will certainly relish the tricky conditions having won on heavy ground at Haydock last month.
Betting.Bet Prediction: Salver
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majborough | 1-3 | W P Mullins | M P Walsh | 7/2 |
| Storm Heart | 12 | W P Mullins | P Townend | 4/1 |
| Nurburgring | 1213 | J P O'Brien | J J Slevin | 5/1 |
| Kargese | 12-121 | W P Mullins | D E Mullins | 11/2 |
| Salvator Mundi | 2- | W P Mullins | B Hayes | 9/1 |
| Salver | 1111 | G L Moore | G Sheehan | 10/1 |
| Bunting | 14 | W P Mullins | S F O'Keefe | 10/1 |
| Mighty Bandit | 19 | W Greatrex | James Bowen | 18/1 |
| Ethical Diamond | 06 | W P Mullins | M J M O'Sullivan | 18/1 |
| Highwind | 18 | W P Mullins | Rachael Blackmore | 20/1 |
| Fratas | 1 | M Mulvany | D J O'Keefe | 28/1 |
| Peking Opera | 1F | G L Moore | N F Houlihan | 80/1 |
| Ithaca's Arrow | 2521 | D J S Ffrench Davis | Ben Ffrench-Davis | 100/1 |
2:10
BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Dan Skelton has an excellent chance of another Cheltenham Festival winner in the second race of the day with L’Eau Du Sud likely to go off as favourite. Never travelled in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November but a solid second in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month and a major player here on Friday.
King Of Kingsfield was third in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month but that result looks solid with the first two (Ballyburn and Slade Steel) both registering Festival wins this week. Last year’s winner, Faivoir was fifth in the Betfair Hurdle but impressed when a narrow second in the Imperial Cup last week.
Petit Tonnerre is now 4lbs lower than when seventh in this last year whilst Pied Piper is up 2lbs since losing by a head twelve months ago. Zenta was third in the Triumph Hurdle last year before landing a Grade 1 at Aintree in April and is not to be ruled out.
Encanto Bruno could be a serious player but remains a concern on heavy ground, there are no such concerns over Magical Zoe who won on soft/heavy ground at Gowran Park in September. Last year’s Mares Novices’ Hurdle is our pick here.
Betting.Bet Prediction: Magical Zoe
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L'eau Du Sud | 1/433-P2 | D Skelton | Harry Skelton | 4/1 |
| King Of Kingsfield | 3-22213 | Gordon Elliott | J W Kennedy | 5/1 |
| Absurde | 16P4 | W P Mullins | P Townend | 13/2 |
| So Scottish | 27U-4F4 | E Mullins | D Meyler | 8/1 |
| Zenta | 1131-33 | W P Mullins | M P Walsh | 11/1 |
| Faivoir | 6P2852 | D Skelton | Tristan Durrell | 11/1 |
| Pied Piper | 15426-4 | G Elliott | D J Gilligan | 12/1 |
| Magical Zoe | 125-122 | H de Bromhead | Adrian Heskin | 12/1 |
| Bialystok | 1-7324B | W P Mullins | D E Mullins | 16/1 |
| Hansard | 154-215 | G L Moore | N F Houlihan | 16/1 |
| Risk Belle | 316-135 | W P Mullins | J S McGarvey | 22/1 |
| Petit Tonnerre | 57-2445 | Jonjo O'Neill | Jonjo O'Neill Jr. | 25/1 |
| Westport Cove | 10-1P24 | W P Mullins | M J M O'Sullivan | 33/1 |
| By Your Side | 260227 | G Elliott | J Coen | 33/1 |
| Afadil | 1-7P331 | P F Nicholls | Freddie Gingell | 33/1 |
| Gin Coco | 120-510 | H Fry | J J Burke | 33/1 |
| Encanto Bruno | 0-1P189 | G P Cromwell | K M Donoghue | 33/1 |
| Mr Freedom | 233U21 | Miss S West | M Goldstein | 40/1 |
| Aucunrisque | 3-035P0 | C Gordon | Rex Dingle | 40/1 |
| Parramount | 12110-P | C E Longsdon | G Sheehan | 50/1 |
| Samui | 212415 | G Elliott | Sam Ewing | 50/1 |
| Media Naranja | 123584 | G Elliott | J C Gainford | 66/1 |
2:50
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The penultimate Grade 1 of the week is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase and this year’s renewal has a smart looking sort at the head of the market. Readin Tommy Wrong steps up to 3 miles having landed a Grade 1 at Naas over 2m4f. Trainer, Willie Mullins is enjoying a superb week at Prestbury Park and fourth win in the race’s last eight renewals.
The favourite is one of five Willie Mullins runners in the race and the best of the rest could be Dancing City. Solid form includes a Grade 1 win at Leopardstown over 2m6f just last month.
Away from the Willie Mullins quintet, Gidleigh Park is in with a great chance for British trainer, Harry Fry. Steps up to contest a Grade 1 for the first time but did land a Grade 2 contest over 2m4f here at Cheltenham in January. The Jukebox Man was beaten by Gidleigh Park at Ffos Las last March but could outrun his odds on Friday. Recorded back-to-back wins on heavy ground at Ffos Las over the autumn before finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury after Chrstimas. Trainer, Ben Pauling won the TrustATrader Plate on Thursday.
Betting.Bet Prediction: The Jukebox Man
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readin Tommy Wrong | 2/1111 | W P Mullins | P Townend | 15/8 |
| Gidleigh Park | 1-111 | H Fry | J J Burke | 5/1 |
| Captain Teague | 1/13-121 | P F Nicholls | H Cobden | 8/1 |
| Dancing City | 2/12-511 | W P Mullins | D E Mullins | 8/1 |
| Lecky Watson | 245-123 | W P Mullins | B Hayes | 10/1 |
| Johnnywho | 1/1-144 | Jonjo O'Neill | Jonjo O'Neill Jr. | 11/1 |
| Chigorin | 3-31 | H de Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore | 11/1 |
| High Class Hero | 1/11111 | W P Mullins | Mr P W Mullins | 12/1 |
| The Jukebox Man | 121-113 | B Pauling | Kielan Woods | 20/1 |
| Search For Glory | 7-13141 | G Elliott | J W Kennedy | 25/1 |
| Stellar Story | 11-1324 | G Elliott | Sam Ewing | 28/1 |
| Spread Boss Ted | 412-611 | W P Mullins | S F O'Keefe | 50/1 |
| Butcher Hollow | 1-1223 | T Cooper | S W Flanagan | 66/1 |
| Dripsey Moon | 1-12565 | J C McConnell | Ben Harvey | 150/1 |
3:30
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
The 100th anniversary of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the undoubted highlight on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival. We go without Shishkin and Hewick on Friday but the Festival’s blue riband event still includes five previous Cheltenham Festival-winning horses including defending champion, Galopin Des Champs and 2023 Grand National winner, Corach Rambler.
Head over to the Cheltenham supersite for our in-depth preview of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Betting.Bet Prediction: Galopin Des Champs
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galopin Des Champs | 112-311 | W P Mullins | P Townend | EVS |
| Fastorslow | 5521-12 | M Brassil | J J Slevin | 6/1 |
| Gerri Colombe | 1121-12 | G Elliott | J W Kennedy | 8/1 |
| L'Homme Presse | 13/1U-12 | Miss V Williams | Charlie Deutsche | 9/1 |
| Corach Rambler | 5411-53 | Miss Lucinda V Russell | D R Fox | 12/1 |
| Bravemansgame | 123-222 | P F Nicholls | H Cobden | 14/1 |
| Gentlemansgame | 713/1-21 | M F Morris | D J O'Keefe | 20/1 |
| Monkfish | 112/29-1 | W P Mullins | Mr P W Mullins | 25/1 |
| Jungle Boogie | 111/41 | H de Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore | 28/1 |
| Nassalam | 307-411 | G L Moore | N F Houlihan | 28/1 |
| The Real Whacker | 111-P42 | P Neville | Sam Twiston-Davies | 33/1 |
4:10
St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Chase
It’s On The Line went close to winning this race last year and has been in excellent form this season. Arrives back at Cheltenham having clinched a hat-trick for the season by winning the QuinnBet Hunters Chase at Naas last month. Billaway was beaten by a head at Naas and the C&D winner looks ready to right the wrongs of last year. Was well-supported at 9/2 last year but fell having won the race in 2022. Billaway is set to contest this race for the fifth straight year and prior to falling last year he has finished in the top two on all previous runs.
Ferns Lock is a real danger but there are question marks over his stamina ahead of this. Premier Magic pulled up in the race in 2022 but has barely put a foot wrong since. Win here last year was the fourth of seven straight wins he’s recorded. Shantou Flyer finished third in last year’s renewal and has now been placed in this race three times. However, aged 14 his hopes of winning are slim.
Betting.Bet Prediction: Billaway
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Its On The Line | F1-2111 | E Mullins | Mr Derek O'Connor | 6/4 |
| Ferns Lock | 113-121 | D M Christie | Mr B O'Neill | 10/3 |
| Premier Magic | 111-111 | B Gibbs | Mr Bradley Gibbs | 6/1 |
| Billaway | 1F2U-12 | W P Mullins | Mr P W Mullins | 15/2 |
| Sine Nomine | 11-2121 | Fiona Needham | Mr John Dawson | 9/1 |
| Samcro | P111-13 | G Elliott | Mr T Hamilton | 14/1 |
| Time Leader | 5-111P1 | Miss Roach | Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell | 22/1 |
| Quintin's Man | 153313 | J Heard | Mr D Andrews | 25/1 |
| Shantou Flyer | 211511 | S Loxton | Miss Olive Nicholls | 28/1 |
| Ramillies | 141134 | D M Christie | Mr R James | 40/1 |
| D'jango | 488214 | Miss V Collins | Miss Immy Robinson | 50/1 |
| From The Heart | 412-1P2 | Mrs L Jones | Miss N Parker | 125/1 |
4:50
Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
There’s a red-hot favourite in an Irish dominated Mares’ Chase on Friday. Dinoblue was second in the Grand Annual last year but bounced back to land a four-timer. Most notably when defeating Champion Hurdle runner-up, Gentleman De Mee by 7 ½ lengths in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown just after Christmas. Only defeat came at the hands of El Fabiolo in the Dublin Chase and a worthy Mares’ Chase favourite.
The biggest danger is the second J P McManus horse in the field; Limerick Lace. The seven-year-old has had three encouraging runs this season. Was second over 3 miles to Coko Beach in November but won over Friday’s distance either side of that run by a combined 26 lengths.
Pink Legend is the only course winner in the race and finished third in this last year. However, she was some way off 2023 runner-up Allegorie De Vassy and the latter has looked solid in five runs since. Allegorie De Vassy is 1-1 in two runs against Riviere D’etel and due to the poor form of trainer, Gordon Elliott at the Cheltenham Festival, Riviere D’etel could be very easy to back as she drifts in the market. Riviere D’etel held her own against Champion Chase winner, Captain Guinness in a Grade 2 at Navan in November and commands respect.
Betting.Bet Prediction: Limerick Lace
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinoblue | 211-112 | W P Mullins | M P Walsh | 6/5 |
| Limerick Lace | 123-121 | G P Cromwell | K M Donoghue | 10/3 |
| Allegorie De Vassey | 223-121 | W P Mullins | P Townend | 4/1 |
| Brides Hill | 1PF-111 | G P Cromwell | S W Flanagan | 10/1 |
| Riviere D'etel | P-22122 | G Elliott | J W Kennedy | 16/1 |
| Marsh Wren | 91-1211 | S Edmunds | C Gethings | 28/1 |
| Carole's Pass | 5-333U1 | Miss A Murphy | Jonjo O'Neill Jr. | 33/1 |
| Pink Legend | 1-414FP | Miss V Williams | Charlie Deutsch | 40/1 |
| Instit | 12-6234 | W P Mullins | D E Mullins | 50/1 |
| Harmonya Maker | P-12313 | G Elliott | J C Gainford | 50/1 |
| Kestrel Valley | 11-1413 | N A Twiston-Davies | Sam Twiston-Davies | 80/1 |
5:30
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
We bring the curtain down on another Cheltenham Festival with a 23-runner handicap hurdle race that often unearths a future Festival star. Gold Cup favourite, Galopin Des Champs won the race in 2021 whilst Banbridge and Iroko have won each of the past two renewals.
The race is named after 15-time champion trainer, Martin Pipe and his son, David trains one of this year’s entries. Thanksforthehelp is unlikely to win but was favourite for last year’s Pertemps Final and can’t be completely written off.
There are two horses vying for favouritism on Friday; Quai De Bourbon and Waterford Whispers. Unexposed six-year-old, Waterford Whispers has looked solid in three runs this season however, Quai De Bourbon is 2-2 since moving to Willie Mullins from France and could be the real danger here.
No Ordinary Joe is only 1lb higher than when finishing a close second in this last year but Nicky Henderson’s much-publicised problems this season could put paid to his chances this year. Better Days Ahead’s reputation has been enhanced by Slade Steel's impressive win in the Supreme on Tuesday and he may well offer the best value in the field. The two went head-to-head in a Grade 2 at Navan in December and he was far from disgraced against the race winner. The six-year-old was well down the field in the Champion Bumper last year but he’s a real danger here.
Betting.Bet Prediction: Better Days Ahead
Race odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quai De Bourbon | P4-11 | W P Mullins | M J M O'Sullivan | 10/3 |
| Waterford Whispers | 7-112 | H de Bromhead | M P O'Connor | 7/2 |
| Answer To Kayf | 3-81231 | T O'Brien | J P Shinnick | 8/1 |
| Better Days Ahead | 10-F142 | G Elliott | D J Gilligan | 17/2 |
| Ocastle Des Mottes | 471-P18 | W P Mullins | Kieran Callaghan | 11/1 |
| What's Up Darling | 2-12152 | G Elliott | C Stone-Walsh | 11/1 |
| No Ordinary Joe | 927-P83 | N J Henderson | A P Kelly | 11/1 |
| Sonigino | 13-3410 | P F Nicholls | Freddie Gingell | 14/1 |
| Yeats Star | 321133 | G Elliott | Shane Fitzgerald | 16/1 |
| Thanksforthehelp | 4101-P0 | D Pipe | M M McDonagh | 16/1 |
| Jay Jay Reilly | 235810 | D Skelton | Tristan Durrell | 20/1 |
| Hollow Games | P4-3P9U | G Elliott | K E Buckley | 25/1 |
| Teddy Blue | 2U9964 | G L Moore | N F Houlihan | 28/1 |
| Sequestered | 121640 | P J Gilligan | Jack G Gilligan | 33/1 |
| Bingoo | 3311-10 | James Moffatt | P W Wadge | 33/1 |
| Angels Breath | 2-27445 | S Thomas | Dylan Johnson | 33/1 |
| Stuzzikini | 322189 | G Elliott | J Coen | 50/1 |
| Magic Tricks | 2/98140 | G Elliott | Charlie O'Dwyer | 50/1 |
| Mel Monroe | 122453 | G Elliott | Ben Harvey | 50/1 |
| Jason The Militant | 7P-0955 | P A Kirby | Joe Williamson | 50/1 |
| Shared | 103-139 | Harry Derham | Alice Stevens | 66/1 |
| Fiveonfive | 163135 | C Collins | E Walsh | 66/1 |
| Russian Ruler | 11-4PP5 | N J Henderson | Freddie Gordon | 80/1 |
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